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Former Chargers GM AJ Smith dies at 75, family announces

Former Chargers GM AJ Smith dies at 75, family announces

AJ Smith, the winningest general manager in Los Angeles Chargers history, has died, his family announced Sunday. He was 75 years old.

Smith had been battling prostate cancer for several years, his family noted in their announcement.

“Beyond a tough, objective and no-nonsense personality synonymous with a true football player, there was AJ's softer side, which included a tremendous love for his family, the NFL and the Chargers. The architect of one of the “In franchise history, AJ made everyone around him better with a singular focus and intensity that elevated our organization,” Chargers owner and chairman Dean Spanos said in a statement. release.

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AJ Smith (Kent C. Horner/Getty Images/File)

“Our hearts go out to his wife Sue, son Kyle, daughter Andrea and the entire Smith family during this difficult time.”

Smith's NFL journey didn't start at the top, as he rose from part-time scout for the then-San Diego Chargers to general manager in 2003.

Smith led the franchise to its best years from 2003 to 2012, when he won 98 games during his 10 seasons.

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One of the most infamous moves in NFL Draft history came with Smith at the helm in 2004, when Eli Manning and his father, Archie, asked the Chargers not to select him first overall out of Ole Miss. But Smith did it anyway and orchestrated a trade. with the New York Giants to select Philip Rivers and at the same time acquire more draft picks.

Smith would use them to select three-time Pro Bowl linebacker and 2005 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Shawne Merriman as well as two-time Pro Bowl kicker Nate Kaeding.

Chargers general manager AJ Smith appears during training camp in San Diego on July 31, 2006. (Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Rivers, of course, went on to be the best Chargers quarterback in team history, although Manning would go on to win two Super Bowls with the Giants. Rivers set franchise records with 59,271 yards and 397 touchdown passes during his illustrious tenure with the team.

Smith also made the decision to sign Antonio Gates as an undrafted free agent in the 2003 draft; Gates is the all-time franchise record holder with 955 receptions, 11,841 receiving yards and 116 touchdowns.

Smith also hired Norv Turner as the team's head coach in 2007, who replaced Marty Schottenheimer. Smith and Schottenheimer did not have a good relationship, and Smith knew he needed to make the right hire to keep the Chargers on the right trajectory.

Turner would go 56-40 during his time with the Chargers, but after no Super Bowls, Spanos decided to go in a completely different direction, firing both the coach and Smith in 2012 after the team finished 7-9. However, it was only Smith's second losing season as general manager.